Situated on the shores of Güvercinlik Bay on the Bodrum Peninsula just 20 minutes from the airport, Lujo Hotel takes a different approach to the traditional all-inclusive.
Built into the pine-covered hillside overlooking the Aegean, the resort has a wealth of contemporary rooms, suites and overwater villas, some with private gardens, pools and direct sea access. Although it’s a sizeable resort, it rarely feels busy thanks to thoughtful design that creates quieter corners throughout. Be welcomed with a glass of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries before meeting your ‘joy adviser’ – a dedicated concierge who can arrange everything from restaurant reservations to buggy transfers via WhatsApp throughout your stay.
The headline here is the food: rather than an array of busy buffets, every meal (including breakfast) is served à la carte, which reduces food waste and gives the resort a noticeably different feel from most all-inclusives. Breakfast can be taken overlooking the sea, with everything cooked to order – from eggs and pancakes to Turkish cheeses, pastries, fresh fruit and excellent coffee. Throughout the day, the patisserie offers homemade cakes, delicate pastries and freshly churned ice cream – children in particular will love the freedom of stopping by unaccompanied.
Come evening, there are plenty of restaurants on offer, so you can try something new every night. Asma focuses on contemporary Turkish cooking with beautifully prepared meze, grilled meats and seafood, while Gaia specialises in Mediterranean fish served simply with uninterrupted sea views. Sorriso offers handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and classic Italian dishes, and Shibori serves made-to-order Japanese cooking, from sushi and sashimi to robata-grilled specialities. Elsewhere, there’s a steakhouse, Latin American restaurant and more relaxed beachfront options. Meals are high-quality and feel like evenings out, rather than part of the package.
Families are particularly well catered for, though the resort never feels dominated by children. The kids’ club goes well beyond the expected, with an arcade, art studio and gaming centre, football and basketball sessions, evening laser tag battles and performances in the resort’s amphitheatre. Plus, a waterpark provides enough slides to keep younger guests entertained for an hour or two.
Heated pools mean comfortable swimming throughout the open season, and the overwater cabanas that stretch out across the clear Aegean have more than a hint of the Maldives about them. Alternate between swimming in the sea and reading in the shade, with a bell service for drinks, lunch or snacks whenever needed. Even the everyday details are thoughtfully handled – sunbeds are prepared with fresh towels and chilled bottled water on your arrival.
The rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of sea or garden views, while generous balconies encourage an early coffee or evening drink. Bathrooms are spacious, with deep soaking tubs or oversized rainfall showers. A pillow menu allows you to tailor your night’s sleep, and the well-stocked minibar – included and replenished daily – means drinks and snacks are close to hand.
It’s this combination of thoughtful service, considered details and genuinely good food that makes Lujo a relaxing stay for families of all shapes and sizes.
How to book
£375 per night for a superior room on an all-inclusive basis, lujohotel.com.
Feeling inspired?
Bring a taste of Türkiye home to your kitchen table after your stay – find our Turkish recipe collection.
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